Okay, the election is right around the corner. The purpose of this column is not to tell you who to vote for, or even what to vote for. It’s simply to try to help you to clarify what is important to you. If I do a good job, you won’t even know my political leanings. …
A Massachusetts court yesterday blocked premium increases—some as high as 40 percent—sought by six state health insurers. The action by the Suffolk Superior Court was the second time the insurance companies’ bid to boost rates was rejected. The state Division of Insurance rejected the rate hikes last month, calling them “excessive.” The insurance companies then …
Court Blocks Hikes Sought by Massachusetts Health Insurance Corps. Read More »
The President signed the Senate health care bill into law at noon today. This year, over 4 million small businesses will get tax credits worth up to 35% of their health care costs. This year, seniors will get $250 towards closing their coverage donut hole. This year, young Americans will be able to stay on …
Two headlines today highlight glaring problems in our health care system that would be fixed if health reform passes. First, from Pennsylvania, the New York Times headlines “Big Insurance Rate Increase for Pennsylvania Poor”: Facing a sharp rise in costs, Pennsylvania has almost doubled the monthly bill for a state health insurance program for poor …
What Health Reform Will Do for America – Two Examples Read More »
Recent polls show a majority of Americans want Congress to pass comprehensive health care reform now. And for good reason: There’s more news out this week about the enormous increases in health insurance premiums, according to a new report. A survey from Economist/YouGov released this week shows 53 percent of respondents support changes proposed by the …
Health Insurance Premiums Soar as New Polls Show Americans Want Reform Read More »
In DC yesterday, thousands of union members and health care activists from across the progressive movement took the fight for health care reform right to insurance companies’ doorstep. The massive protest started with a march from Dupont Circle to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 22nd and M Street, NW, led by more than 50 major labor …
VIDEO: 5,000 Activists Take the Fight for Reform Right to Insurance Companies’ Doorstep Read More »
Yesterday, Republican leaders finally confirmed that they weren’t going to bring a health care bill to the President’s summit tomorrow. Why? Because they don’t actually want to reform health care (emphasis added): The Senate GOP leadership is brushing off Dan Pfeiffer’s demand this morning that Republicans clarify whether they’ll produce a bill in advance of …
President Obama this morning released his version of health care reform legislation that combines elements of the Senate and House bills passed late last year. The new plan was unveiled in preparation for Thursday’s televised bipartisan White House health care summit. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said working families “look foward” to moving the ball forward …
Obama Releases Revised Health Care Reform Blueprint Read More »
The White House Task Force on the Middle Class today announced several initiatives it says will help middle-class families afford soaring child care costs, care for their aging relatives, cope with the challenge of saving for retirement and pay for their children’s college tuition. President Obama says the measures will help “ease the burdens on …
Middle Class Task Force Addresses Child Care, College Costs, Retirement Security Read More »
As Washington grapples with the outcome of the election in Massachusetts this week, it’s important to remember one key thing: Congress can still pass historic legislation that will make health care a right, not a privilege, in the United States. While the procedural route may be different, Congress still can do what it intended to …
Madeline Messa is a 3L at Syracuse University College of Law. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. With her legal research and writing for Workplace Fairness, she strives to equip people with the information they need to be their own best advocate.
